Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Preliminary Assessment of Federal Financial Risks and Cost Reimbursement and Notification Policies and Procedures

GAO Report GAO-11-90R http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d1190r.pdf [Summary] Because the total costs of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill are still unknown, the federal government’s financial exposure as a result of the oil spill is also unknown. BP has voluntarily established a Trust to be funded incrementally up to $20 billion, has paid other costs outside of the Trust, … Continue reading »

Accelerating Successful Smart Grid Pilots

World Economic Forum http://tinyurl.com/24w7rmf [Abstract] Over the last 12 months, the utility industry has witnessed progress on two fronts: the recognition by governments of the importance of fiscal stimulus in kick-starting the transition to the low-carbon economy and the centrality of smart grids as an enabler for a set of low-carbon technologies and solutions. As … Continue reading »

Oil Spill Prevention and Response in the U.S. Arctic Ocean: Unexamined Risks, Unacceptable Consequences

Pew Charitable Trusts http://tinyurl.com/29kuxgw [Executive Summary] This report examine the risks, challenges and potential consequences of oil spills associated with oil and gas exploration and production in the outer continental shelf (OCS) of the United States Arctic Ocean. The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico prompted a reconsideration of the … Continue reading »

Climate Risks and Adaptation in Asian Coastal Megacities

World Bank http://tinyurl.com/2dwtsmf [From press release] The report Climate Risks and Adaptation in Asian Coastal Megacities examines the impact of climate change on Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila, under a range of different scenarios through to 2050. The report is the product of a two-year collaborative study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), … Continue reading »

What’s Next for Alternative Energy?

Boston Consulting Group / Balu Balagopal, Petros Paranikas, and Justin Rose http://www.bcg.com/documents/file65667.pdf [From Press Release] What’s Next for Alternative Energy examines the state of seven of the most significant alternative-energy technologies—advanced biofuels, electric vehicles (EVs), concentrated solar power (CSP), solar photovoltaic (PV), onshore wind, offshore wind, and clean coal through carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)—and … Continue reading »